Introducing GasPatch Models…

News of another new model company is great to hear but especially good to hear that it is coming from Greece! GasPatch Models has sent us news of a new 1/48^th Salmson 2A2 kit soon to hit our market – we have information on all three of their first kit variations and even drawings from the company that blow the usual CAD images away – Read on to hear more from this new manufacturer…

 Founded in 2011, GasPatch Models provides quality kits with a high and consistent level of detail, enjoyable to build for experienced modellers and beginners alike. We do painstaking research, using original factory drawings wherever possible, and paying close attention to contemporary photos. Demanding hobbyists with a keen eye on detail appreciate our perfect part compatibility, high tech mould manufacturing, and best value for the money.

Drawings of the resin engine

Our first model is the Salmson 2A2, which played a key role and was produced in great numbers, but has hitherto not received appropriate recognition from the plastic model kit market. For the future, we plan, likewise, to produce models that are not common but are interesting in their design and historical significance.

We produce this model in three 1:48 versions: Mid, Late, and Japanese boxings.

Mid production

One of the early aviation’s most underrated pioneers was the French industrialist Emile Salmson (1858–1921). In 1890, Emile began his career in Paris, manufacturing pumps. Together with two aviation pioneers, George Canton and George Unné, he established the “Société de Moteurs Salmson” in 1910. In that year, they produced their first successful engine, an 80hp seven-cylinder radial, followed by a 120hp nine-cylinder version a year later. At a time when engines were frequently breaking down, Salmson's products became famous for their reliability.

Late Version

Despite an unsuccessful first attempt at producing an aircraft, the company was commissioned by Armeé de l’Air to produce the reconnaissance aircraft Sopwith 1½ Strutter under license. Meanwhile, they worked on improved aircraft designs, and later they proposed to Armeé de l’Air their “Salmson D”, with an 130hp Clerget engine. Armeé de l’Air declined, but Salmson insisted in further developing the designs. In April 1917, they introduced the Salmson 2A2, with the 260hp Canton-Unné 9z nine-cylinder water-cooled radial engine. This time, the French air force accepted the new aircraft as a replacement of the now obsolete Sopwith 1½ Strutter.

Japanese Version

The Salmson 2A2 equipped 52 French escadrilles. In addition, the American Expeditionary Forces ordered 750 aircraft to equip 10 squadrons. The total production reached 3250 items, of which 2200 were built by Salmson and the rest by Latécoère, Hanriot and Desfontainers. After the war, the Japanese air force ordered about 350 Salmson 2A2s. The Polish, Czechs and Greeks also ordered small numbers.

The production drawings on this site are worth a look in themselves

The Salmson 2A2 was a robust, two-seated airplane, fast, reliable, and adaptable to other uses; it was used, for example, as a bomber, and even as a fighter plane. Its most important innovation was the self-sealing tanks, which contributed to the avoidance of fire on board, which was one of the main fears of early aviators.

From the pilots....

“The Salmson was a damn good airplane. It sounded like a bunch of tin cans on the end of a string, but they could shoot all kinds of holes in it and it would still run… It handled very nicely; a well-made airplane, very dependable.”

—Captain Phillip R. Babcock of the 88th Aero Squadron

"There is no record of a Salmson ever having caught fire. This is due to the gas tank being enclosed with a shield of rubber about an eighth of an inch thick, over which was a strong wire mesh covering. In combat we soon learned that if a bullet hit the gas tank, the wire mesh slowed the bullet, and then the flame caused by friction was extinguished when passing through the rubber covering of the gas tank, which eliminated the main reasons for a plane being set on fire. I know of no other plane having this construction at that time. Fear of fire was probably the greatest morale obstacle one had to get over, and this plane built up great confidence."

"The speed of our Salmson planes was about 110 miles per hour. In a dive we could get up to 250 miles an hour, and as our plane was very strong, we were flying without fighter escort, it was not unusual for us to get to the maximum speed trying to get away from a group of German fighter airplanes. We were invariably outnumbered by planes which were lighter and more manoeuvrable."

"By the end of World War I the 91st personnel had received 15 U.S. Distinguished Service Crosses, six French Croix de Guerre with palm, and one squadron Unit Decoration of the Croix de Guerre with palm. Our squadron was one of only three U.S. squadrons receiving this decoration. Seven of the original 18 pilots were eventually made squadron commanders."

—Capt. Everett R. Cook, commander of the 91st Aero Squadron, AEF

To find out more about this company please do take a look at their website  GasPatch Models